"A fire department that writes off civilians faster than an express line of 6 reasons or less is not progressive, it's dangerous, because it's run by fear. Fear does not save lives, it endangers them." -- Lt. Ray McCormack FDNY

Okay, so after about 5 minutes of research, this is what I have for the evening.

I'm not sure what pack they are wearing. I've watched scenes with the packs over and over and over again, and in my over tired state can not figure out if they are the 5.5's or not.

However, on the mask issue. Scott does NOT sell a mask that looks like that for fire service use. My guess is that the TV show had some masks made specifically for the show so that we can see the actors faces.

That's all I've got for tonight. I'm tired, and rambling. And that's a bad combination.

"A fire department that writes off civilians faster than an express line of 6 reasons or less is not progressive, it's dangerous, because it's run by fear. Fear does not save lives, it endangers them." -- Lt. Ray McCormack FDNY

At this point I think the show sucks, but doesn't quite blow. I will give it one more chance but it seems to me to be almost going down the road of the crappiest season of Rescue Me, season 2 with all the non-fire BS drama.

People laugh at Ladder 49 but the one thing I think that movie did well was portray life in the firehouse. The pranks, the pecking order, the fact that sometimes we work with guys we wouldn't even talk to off the job, and yet there is the Brotherhood.

Negative. We just had a Scott rep at our place last week, and he brought a 5.5........that aint it and he mentioned nothing about a new mask.

as for the show......Trying to keep an open mind and understand that it is a TV show made for entertainment purposes by hollywood studio-types; although I do have to say I expected more from Dick Wolf (Law & Order.) But you do have to wonder if cops and lawyers laugh and critique cop and lawyer shows........

Company officers that fight like cats and dogs, hate each other's guts and can't work together.

Rookies that when they walk into a fire station are greeted with little more than disdain and are shoved into a task before they even meet with their company officer.
Company officers who has abeard which is most certainly not NFPA compliant.

And medics that seemingly supply drugs to the members while on shift.

Maybe it's just me, and I know it's just a TV show, but if i was a CFD member it would make my gut turn to see my department portrayed as such on prime time. I know it's "TV", but sadly to many of the vieweres perception will be reality.

I'm at the point where I never care if I see another TV show about fireman. After Rescue Me and what appears to be this train wreck of a show, I really just want to see cops portrayed as socially dysfunctional.

And by the way, I'm sure Chiocago PD is portrayed as being so incompetent that they can't even clear a room after a shooting.

over all this show might not be so bad. Little to heroish maybe. I know CFD gets a lot of jobs, and the medics do some out standing work. But might be a little over the top.

As a side note: We have all seen the influx of people wanting to be firefighters after certain events and movies. Back draft, Ladder 49, Sept 11th. I just hope that this show doesn't do that. Which it just might. Furthermore I would hate for this to be the driving force for CFD to create a new firefighter test. Since a lot of people are waiting to get that phone call to go to the academy. My self waiting for medicals.

Again, is an unshaven officer the perception that we want the public to have?

No the fact that you are touting NFPA compliance is hysterical. Something about glass houses comes to mind, as does something about a pot and a kettle and their associated coloring....I could keep going but you will only backpedal by coming up with some asenine statement as usual.